South Sulawesi Police Seize 70 Kg of Meth and 30 Kg of Cocaine in Six Months, Saving 237,000 Lives

South Sulawesi Regional Police have seized more than 70 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine and 30 kilogrammes of cocaine during the period from January to June 2026. Over the course of six months, officers dismantled 1,175 drug cases, arrested 1,778 suspects, and saved an estimated 237,000 people from the threat of death caused by these illicit substances. The large-scale revelation was presented directly by the South Sulawesi Police Chief, Inspector General Djuhandhani Rahardjo Puro, during a press conference in Makassar on Monday (29/6). In the presence of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum, Customs officials, the South Sulawesi Provincial National Narcotics Agency, and dozens of journalists, Police Chief Djuhandhani asserted that the fight against drugs has entered a new chapter, with increasingly sophisticated criminal methods. Djuhandhani revealed that dealers no longer dare to conduct face-to-face transactions. They have switched to a drop-off system, placing narcotics at secret coordinate points such as under electricity poles, in city parks, or flower pots. Buyers only receive a digital map via a secret chat application after the money has been transferred. In addition, small package deliveries within the city also utilise online motorcycle taxis and regular courier services using fake sender identities. ‘This is a new challenge. But we continue to improve our human resources and information technology so as not to be left behind,’ Djuhandhani stressed. Several prominent cases were successfully solved through the hard work of operational teams. The Port Police Unit of Parepare Resort Police, for example, secured 40 kilogrammes of methamphetamine along with 157 etomethadate cartridges. The Makassar Metropolitan Police, by developing a case from January, successfully arrested four suspects in May with evidence of 5 kilogrammes of methamphetamine. Meanwhile, the Makassar Port Police also uncovered one case involving 1 kilogramme of methamphetamine. Overall, police also seized more than 2 kilogrammes of cannabis, 1,039 ecstasy pills, 1,723 millilitres of synthetic liquid, as well as significant quantities of synthetic tobacco and List G pharmaceuticals. Shockingly, over 30 kilogrammes of cocaine were also found, although it remains classified as found property. Most of the evidence was destroyed that very day after receiving a ruling from the local District Prosecutor’s Office. Hundreds of witnesses from government elements also observed the destruction of over 56 kilogrammes of methamphetamine, 7.6 kilogrammes of cocaine, 2 kilogrammes of cannabis, 209 ecstasy pills, and 157 etomethadate cartridges. Converted economically, the value of the destroyed evidence amounted to approximately IDR 90 billion. Djuhandhani emphasised that dealers and traffickers must be impoverished through charges under the Anti-Money Laundering Act to ensure a genuine deterrent effect. Conversely, addicts and drug abusers will be directed towards rehabilitation as victims in need of recovery. ‘They are the black market. If they are cured, then that market dies,’ he stated. Moving forward, the South Sulawesi Regional Police will increase surveillance at several strategic entry points, such as Soekarno Hatta Port in Makassar, Nusantara Port in Parepare, Garongkong Port in Barru, Biringkassi Port in Pangkep, Bajoe Port in Bone, Paotere Fishing Port in Makassar, Bira Port in Bulukumba, and Sultan Hasanuddin Airport in Maros. Synergy with the military, Customs, Immigration, the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency, and port authorities will continue to be strengthened. ‘Let us move together. Protect our young generation from drugs. This is a concrete manifestation of the President’s Asta Cita to realise a drug-free Golden Generation 2045,’ Djuhandhani concluded.